STRATEGIC PLAN 2016
Education in Haïti This strategic plan describes the work of the Haïti College Fund (HCF), identifies our current goals and objectives, details our methodology for achieving them, and outlines how we measure our progress. 70 % attend elementary school 20 % complete elementary school <1 % attend university
HCF STRATEGIC PLAN 3 Mission HCF is dedicated to help end poverty in Haïti by providing students the opportunity to achieve post-secondary educations through fully subsidized scholarships to universities in Haïti. Increased access to a university education in Haïti serves two important goals: (1) ending dependency: as Haïti is able to develop its own indigenous class of professionals, the country will become less reliant on outside expertise to solve its many problems; (2) promoting community development: through application of their learned skills, HCF graduates will effect long-lasting improvements in the communities from which they come by promoting local economic development that can help lift their fellow citizens out of poverty. According to the Haitian Education & Leadership Program (HELP), college graduates are twice as likely to find employment as other Haïtians (96 percent versus 50 percent for those without a higher education). They are also able to achieve significantly higher earning potential ($10,000 per year in contrast to the national average of $653). As a result, North Yard Economics, Ltd. estimates that each graduate of a university program will add $300,000 to Haïti s GDP over the course of his or her lifetime. Thus, HCF scholarship recipients are not just attending college they are planning a future for their families, their communities, and ultimately, the entirety of Haïti. With a university-level education, young Haïtians can enter professional occupations and start businesses in their home communities, enabling them to promote Haïti s economic development and social reconstruction at the local level. STATEMENT OF NEED The severely limited access to higher education in Haïti is a long-standing and complex problem. Universal access to free education at all levels do not exist in Haïti. According to the Haitian Education and Leadership Program, just 70 percent of children in Haïti attend elementary school and only 20 percent of all children actually complete elementary school. Not more than half of those students will go on to graduate from secondary school. As a result, fewer than 1 percent of young people in Haïti actually go on to attend university. Even with the relatively low cost of higher education in Haïti, the vast majority of graduating secondary students cannot afford to further their education. (While tuition and program fees vary, HCF budgets $5000 annually for a student to attend university.) The end result is that many talented young people cannot receive the professional training needed to succeed as individuals. This persistent problem in the aggregate stymies Haïti s muchneeded development. OVERVIEW HCF was established in 2005 to help the Haïtian people overcome a neverending cycle of poverty and premature death by addressing one of the core issues underlying their impoverishment: lack of access to higher education. HCF is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Although HCF pays for some administrative expenses, the vast preponderance of the moneys HCF scholarship recipients are not just attending college they are planning a future for their families, their communities, and ultimately, the entirety of Haïti. we collect goes directly to benefit our scholarship recipients. HCF stresses that the university educations we support are ultimately for the benefit of our students home communities, where all of them pledge to return after graduation to apply their newfound skills and to support development at the local level.
4 HCF STRATEGIC PLAN Program Methodology FUND RAISING In the past, HCF has collected most money from written appeals sent annually to approximately 300 donors. Recently, HCF has made online donations available via the website. In addition, in 2015 HCF had its first fundraising event and plans to expand such efforts in the future. Lastly, HCF is in the process of establishing an online store to sell various items related to Haïti; the profits obtained will be added to the general coffers of the organization for the benefit of the students. Other initiatives to increase funding are outlined in section Goals, Objectives, Actions, and Metrics starting on page 10. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Students who are recipients of financial assistance from HCF are selected based on merit and need. Factors that HCF s selection committee consider include: secondary school academic record (in particular no history of having to repeat a course), the applicant s score on the national exam (baccalaureate), written references, and a brief statement related to their personal goals in obtaining higher education. HCF also provides each scholarship applicant with a template for creating a business plan, wherein they explain how they will use their education to provide for themselves and their local Each scholarship applicant is also provided a template for creating a business plan wherein students explain how they will use their education to provide for themselves and their local community after graduation
HCF STRATEGIC PLAN 5 community after graduation. The goal of the business plan is to establish the practical purposes for obtaining a university degree. Students receiving scholarships are required to refine their educational focus by updating the plans annually. The areas of study to be considered for higher education scholarships generally center on the fields most relevant to Haïti s development: agriculture, engineering, education, and health care. The selection committee reviews the students business plans each year, and shares them with relevant public and private partners. These partners include business enterprises in Haïti, U.S. corporations doing substantial projects in Haïti, as well as Haïtian government agencies and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide on-going services and operate programs in Haïti. POST GRADUATE SUPPORT HCF partners with a number of private companies doing business in Haïti (both Haïtian-owned and international), as well as with government agencies and non-government organizations. Our students can leverage these connections as they move away from the university setting and return back to their home communities. In addition, HCF works with donors and other nonprofits supporting small businesses and local initiatives. HCF graduates have support after graduation to put their proposed business plans into action. HCF graduates will have support after graduation to put their proposed business plans into action.
6 HCF STRATEGIC PLAN Haïti College Fund, the First 10 Years Since 2005, HCF, in conjunction with the Haïti Parish Twinning Program (HPTP) of St. Joseph s Catholic Church in Keyport, New Jersey, has helped sponsor 10 students to complete their university educations in areas relevant to Haïti s development. Our scholarship recipients are applying their training to benefit their local communities. To date, HCF has supported eight students who have completed their university educations two physicians, a nurse, an agronomist, a financial accountant, a veterinarian, and a business major (who is operating a secondary school). One other doctor has completed his medical education and is currently doing his required year of social service before being licensed as a physician. In addition, two more students are in school now studying civil engineering and computer science. By design we do not support university training for Haïtians to study in the United States. Our talented scholarship recipients who have graduated are applying their training to benefit their local communities. In addition, they share their expertise and educate others in the same skills that they have learned, including farming and animal husbandry, healthcare and hygiene, education (reading, writing and arithmetic), small business management, and caring for the environment. All of these projects are vital to their communities. Below are examples of our students accomplishments. AGRICULTURE: Our veterinarian, Moussanto Dantil and Venold Toussaint have planted over 7,700 seedlings since 2014. These fruit trees will provide food to the people of Pignon, as well as help in soil conservation. Reforestation is key to alleviating Haïti s ecological devastation. Moussanto is helping to educate the local community in the principles of farming and best-practice techniques for improved agricultural production, thereby giving hope for eventual food sustainability. MEDICINE: Florlande Crepin, a recent medical school graduate, completed her undergraduate training at the Université Notre-Dame d Haïti s School of Medicine and her year of social service in her hometown at Hôpital Bienfaisance de Pignon; she is now working at the Dispensaire Saint Joseph de Pignon. Donald Accilien, another medical graduate is doing his year of social service (a requirement of new doctors in Haïti in order to become licensed) in Cape Haïtian. HEALTH CARE: Our university-trained nurse, Ketheline Rock, is typical of our students who have come a long way: her mother was a ti marchand selling rice and beans on the street; now, Ketheline is the director of a new medical clinic in Pignon. Each day Ketheline makes a positive impact in the lives of people who otherwise would have no access to health care. Public health outreach to the villages surrounding Pignon is one of the initiatives she is currently working on.
HCF STRATEGIC PLAN 7
8 HCF STRATEGIC PLAN Haïti College Fund, the Next 10 Years While HCF has so far been able to accomplish much (with the help of St. Joseph s HPTP), there is so much more to do! Our ten scholarship recipients and the work they are doing to improve the quality of life in Haïti are proof of the longterm value of our program. Each time we have a successful fundraising event, we not only raise funds for immediate needs, but also find new donors for the future thereby supporting HCF s enduring viability. In the past, annual donations have varied significantly from year to year, from less than $5,000 to more than $19,000. To sustain an expanded program we need to have more consistent funding. Additionally, we expect to supplement our donations with grants from foundations supporting our cause. A stable financial program, vital to our future success, is detailed below. INCREASE OUR FUNDING: Our goal is to raise $25,000 annually for each new student, by the following means: Continue to issue our annual written appeal to our prospective donors at least once a year (usually in the spring), with a follow-up reminder (sent out in the fall) to those who have not yet contributed. Develop new strategies to solicit direct donations through our website, in particular monthly recurring donations through online video presentations. Join short-term funding initiatives and piggyback opportunities, such as programs like Whole Foods 5% Days ; consider joining a non-profit consortium. Win financial grants from philanthropic foundations. Receive donations from associations and commercial organizations, either as money directly contributed (sponsoring a particular kind of training, ex. law or engineering) or as in-kind donations relevant to student success (e.g., books, writing materials, computers/ tablets/printers). Conduct fund-raising events and open an online store to sell Haïtian art, agricultural products, handcrafts, and much more.
HCF STRATEGIC PLAN 9 Establish an individual sponsor program in which one donor pledges to support one student from the time she or he begins university until graduation. EXPAND OUR PRESENCE IN HAÏTI: To assure the success of our students and the program as a whole, HCF needs to be on the ground in Haïti monitoring the program and guiding its development. Establish an objective methodology for selecting students (application form, review process, committee to make the decisions). Create a financial management structure and accounting procedures to ensure the integrity of funds flowing into the scholarships. Establish working relationships with secondary schools (both public and private) through which HCF can identify the most qualified students for university scholarships. Establish working relationships with the universities in Haïti that will be providing the higher education for the scholarship recipients. To ensure the success of our students and the program as a whole, HCF needs to be on the ground in Haïti monitoring the program and guiding its development. SUPPORT OUR GRADUATES: While academic success in the coursework required at the university level is a minimal requirement, passing grades do not in themselves assure success in the world beyond the university. HCF scholarship recipients need additional and on-going training while they are in school to do well afterwards and in order to contribute effectively to their communities back home. Support training and coursework to enhance the students academic instruction by giving them skills that will aid them as they provide for their future after graduation. [See the outline for Goal 3 in the table starting on page 10 for details on how HCF expects to achieve this aim.] Establish relationships with government agencies, businesses and NGOs in Haïti and leverage them to help our graduates find work and support for their local community projects after graduation. Work with local community organizations and outside funding sources to support initiatives and projects in the graduates home communities as they turn their business plans into reality.
10 HCF STRATEGIC PLAN Goals, Objectives, Actions, and Metrics * We actively track our progress against these metrics and post the results separately in the HCF Strategic Goals Metrics Tracker, available on request from John Barba (Director, HCF). The table below documents HCF s current goals and objectives, the actions we are taking take to achieve them, the timeframe in which we will achieve them, and how we are measuring our progress so we can adjust actions as needed.
HCF STRATEGIC PLAN 11 GOAL #1: Increase our Funding: Raise $25,000 annually for each new scholarship recipient identified for higher education in Haïti Objective A: Raise funds through a stable donor base that also has the capacity to grow with time Date to Complete: Fourth Quarter 2016 1. Update and maintain a viable donor list (mailing list) for written appeals 2. Develop an email capacity to reach donors online (e.g., MailChimp) 3. Create a donor data base (via the website and by other means) that allows HCF to capture email addresses from those who indicate they wish continuing contact with HCF Send written appeal in Spring and follow-up appeal in Fall Send out 3 additional appeals for funds via email Grow new donor list by 100 persons annually Objective B: Raise funds through the HCF website Date to Complete: Third Quarter 2016 1. Enhance the website to attract new viewers (e.g., with student stories, gallery of photos and videos; specially marked donations page; links to other sites of interests; Haïtian music feed, etc.) 2. Establish specific targets for new donations and encourage repeated (i.e., monthly) donations 3. Solicit input and ideas from visitors to the website and other donors Website reformatted, tested, and independently reviewed Website updated at least quarterly Receive $1000+ in online donations quarterly
12 HCF STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL #1: Increase our Funding: Raise $25,000 annually for each new scholarship recipient identified for higher education in Haïti (continued) Objective C: Raise funds through short- and long-term (i.e., on-going) initiatives with established and viable organizations Date to Complete: Fourth Quarter 2016 1. Identify 1 short-term initiative or piggyback opportunity (e.g., Whole Foods 5% Days, Day of Giving, and/or partnership with a non-profit consortium) and make application to partner 2. Identify 1 long-term initiative for on-going fund raising capacity (e.g., AmazonSmile, Capital Federal Campaign) and make application to join 1 short-term initiative implemented 1 long-term initiative implemented $2000+ raised Objective D: Raise funds through grants from foundations Date to Complete: Second Quarter 2016 1. Engage 1 volunteer with demonstrated grant-writing and/or foundation experience 2. Identify 3 foundations as potential partners whose missions are compatible with HCF s 2+ proposals written and submitted by the end of 2016 $5000 raised Objective E: Raise funds from commercial and/or nonprofit organizations via direct financial contributions or in-kind donations Date to Complete: Second Quarter 2016 1. Engage 1 volunteer with experience in commercial fundraising 2. Identify and engage 1 corporate giver 3. Coordinate receipt and delivery of in-kind donations (e.g., laptop computers) 1 corporate donor engaged $3000 (or equivalent in in-kind donations) raised
HCF STRATEGIC PLAN 13 GOAL #1: Increase our Funding: Raise $25,000 annually for each new scholarship recipient identified for higher education in Haïti (continued) Objective F: Raise funds through special events and a sales program with online partners Date to Complete: Third Quarter 2016 1. Engage volunteers with demonstrated experience in fundraising events and/or online sales 2. Hold 1 individual fundraising event and/or 1 joint fundraising event with another organization 3. Implement liaisons with established vendors of Haïtian art, products from Haïti, etc. with a portion of their sales going back to HCF ( finder s fee ) 1 fund raising event held 2 online sales liaisons established $5000 raised Objective G: Establish an Individual Sponsor program Date to Complete: Second Quarter 2016 1. Research similar programs to identify mechanics and best practices 2. Develop procedures for the program administration 3. Advertise the program electronically (via website, newsletter, email, Facebook, etc.) and also through direct and in-person appeals 1+ donor committed to support 1 student $5000 raised (1st year)
14 HCF STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL #2: Regularize program administration: Establish a robust methodology for the scholarship process Objective A: Create an objective process for selecting new scholarship recipients Date to Complete: Third Quarter 2016 1. Write a policies and procedures manual describing the process for scholarship application and selection. 2. Create brochures in French and Creole describing HCF, our scholarship program, and the admissions process. 3. Found a Selection Committee to oversee the choice of scholarship recipients and review their business plans annually 3 individuals identified to serve on the Selection Committee Policies and procedures manual written and vetted by the Selection Committee Selection Committee reviews 4 new applications and prioritizes list of students eligible for scholarships Objective B: Implement a search for the most highly qualified candidates in Haïti for university scholarship Date to Complete: Fourth Quarter 2016 1. Promote HCF in Haïti through outreach to secondary schools of merit in order to find the most promising students to apply for the program 2. Distribute brochures in French and Creole describing HCF, our scholarship program, and the admissions process to these schools 3. Engage former scholarship recipients in advancing knowledge of HCF in Haïti Identify 5 secondary schools in Haïti to target for promotion Distribute brochures created to 3 of these secondary schools Obtain 4 new applications for scholarship 4. Identify persons who can mentor applicants through the process of application and beyond (if they are selected)
HCF STRATEGIC PLAN 15 GOAL #2: Regularize program administration: Establish a robust methodology for the scholarship process (continued) Objective C: Protect the integrity of scholarship funding through vigorous accountability Date to Complete: Fourth Quarter 2016 1. Establish a fiduciary process (banking and wire transfers) to protect the flow of scholarship money given to each recipient throughout their time in the program 2. Provide training to scholarship students on how to handle funds responsibly 3. Establish an accounting procedure for money disbursements to universities directly and to the students 4. Identify persons responsible for fiscal management overview in Haïti Establish liaisons with 2 universities in Haïti (including their accounting departments) who receive scholarship money Obtain budgets from scholarship recipients for costs of tuition and living expenses each semester. Review monetary outlays quarterly GOAL #3: Support our students in university and after graduation: Provide training and vocational support for scholarship recipients Objective A: Support training and additional coursework where feasible Date to Complete: Ongoing 1. Provide additional learning opportunities that will help recipients after graduation, such as English-language instruction Computer and IT training Mentoring and leadership training 2. Provide post-graduate support through Business development and management training Formulation of a personalized Business Plan Find instructors for each of the additional trainings outlined Create a process of hire, pay, and review of all instructors Create online modules for training and evaluation in each of the areas mentioned for additional learning
16 HCF STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL #3: Support our students in university and after graduation: Provide training and vocational support for scholarship recipients (continued) Objective B: Establish relationships with businesses and NGOs in Haïti, and leverage them to help graduates be successful Date to Complete: Ongoing 1. Identify partners for post-graduation support of HCF scholarship recipients including Businesses indigenous to Haïti U.S. businesses doing substantial projects or have ongoing enterprises in Haïti NGOs supporting Haïti development 2. Create a liaison with these entities and establish working relationships between our students and these organizations 3. Invite investment in the students own business projects in order to support their success Contact the 5+ largest businesses in Haïti, the 5+ largest foreign businesses doing commerce in Haïti, as well as major NGOs doing work in Haïti Create a mentoring program linking up each scholarship recipient with a particular business or NGO while they are completing their studies Help students with applications for investment in their project, according to their business plans Objective C: Work with local communities and funding sources to support initiatives and projects in the graduates home communities, after they graduate Date to Complete: Ongoing 1. Partner with organizations like Advancing International Development Project (AIDP), Haïtian Education and Leadership Program (HELP), and others that can assist our graduating university students 2. Identify local community resources available to our graduates to support their business plans Learn about projects already underway in Haïti that may be in need of skilled personnel and direct our students to these initiatives Include a survey of local resources in the required annual updating of the students business plans
HCF STRATEGIC PLAN 17 Resourcing HCF in Haïti Going forward, HCF plans to complete a series of initiatives to strengthen its program and organization. These future initiatives include: Establish an online application process on the HCF website Set up an online manual for student training in good money management, and provide other opportunities for additional online training Develop vocational liaisons with outside institutions and organizations including training from previous graduates to support graduating scholarship recipients after their university educations are over Establish a special committee to study the feasibility of creating a House of Study in Cape Haïtian, Haïti: creating a proposed budget and timeline plan for implementation. (A House of Study is a dormitory where students receive room and board, access to a computer lab, as well as other supportive apparatuses, including mentoring and the camaraderie from having other students around.) Find a responsible entity able to provide the fiscal management necessary for this long-term investment. Compassion is the recognition of another person s suffering and the authentic desire to reduce suffering. And, it s not something that we need to create within ourselves; we just need to uncover it and cultivate it. Dr. Elizabeth Sparks
Resourcing HCF Here To meet our goals, we will strengthen the internal infrastructure of HCF by building and sustaining a team of dedicated volunteers with demonstrated experience in relevant fields, including 1. Accounting 2. Web design and operations 3. Public relations / communications 4. Grant writing 5. Fundraising and online sales 6. Branding and marketing 7. Entrepreneurial training 8. Volunteer coordination HCF has successfully used the resources of Volunteer Fairfax (based in Fairfax County, Virginia) to find a corps of talented volunteers. In addition to this valuable liaison, HCF plans in the future to engage in active recruitment of new volunteers on college campuses in the United States and beyond. Opportunities to explain our program to organizations and for speaking engagements to various groups will also provide HCF the capacity to expand its volunteer base. We will establish a Coordinator of Volunteers who will develop a method of evaluation to both support the volunteers in their duties and to improve their performance, monitor their progress (accountability), and expand on their abilities. In addition, in the future HCF will establish cooperative relationships with U.S.-based service organizations and universities to support fundraising, post-graduation business support, and bolster HCF s administrative activities. For example, service organizations on college campuses here in the U.S. can hold educational seminars and other forums of various types that will also feed into increased fundraising capacities. As for universities in the United States, our goal for the future will be to recruit students to support HCF activities as part of their educational program and, as a result, receive academic credit in return. For example, U.S. students can Opportunities to explain our program and speaking engagements to various groups will provide HCF the opportunity to expand its volunteer base. be recruited for roles in English-language instruction and IT training. American university programs in education and economic development can liaison with HCF for various projects related to coursework. Innovative initiatives both within higher-education institutions and in the larger community can interface with our scholarship students business plans as they develop practically.
HCF STRATEGIC PLAN 19 Plan Maintenance This plan is current as of 2016. John Barba (HCF Director) will review it quarterly and make needed modifications. Updates will reflect progress in relation to goals and objectives met, operational changes needed, and lessons learned. For questions and further information, contact john.barba@haiticollegefund.org or call 703-400-5758.
20 HCF STRATEGIC PLAN The HCF House of Study Initiative program plan and outline of goals available upon request.
P.O. Box 86 Oakton, VA 22124 Tel: 703-400-5758 www.haiticollegefund.org john.barba@haiticollegefund.org